Start off with Mabamba Wetland – Lake Victoria

Mabamba wetland is a renowned Ramsar Site: Home to endangered bird species such as the Shoebill Stork and Blue Swallow – It is also home to over 260 bird species. Enjoy a motorized canoe trip on Lake Victoria, North West of the Entebbe Peninsular to approach Mabamba Wetland. The site was named so by fishermen due to a significant quantities of large lungfish “Mamba” caught in this area; as well as the shoebill’s favourite food. The other important birds to expect at Mabamba include; Pallid harrier, Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp flycatcher, Pigmy goose, Lesser jacana, Grosbeak weaver, Palm-nut vulture, Papyrus canary, Malachite and pied kingfisher, Gull-billed terns, Goliath heron and Egrets.

From the Shoebill visit Uganda Reptile Village (Snake Park) – Uganda Reptile Village is situated 3KM off the Kampala–Entebbe main road. It is a Community Based Organization, established in 2002 by a reptile specialist –Yasin Kazibwe, aimed at sensitizing the locals about the importance of reptiles and conservation. Some of the snakes protected here include Black Mamba, Jameson’s Mamba, Rock Pythons, Vipers, both Egyptian and Forest Cobras as well as Puff Adders; with other reptiles such as; chameleon, tortoises, crocodiles and monitor lizards. While at the reptile village, you will be offered an opportunity to lift an African Rock Python or a tortoise if you feel interested. Proceeds from your visit are channelled to community development initiatives.

Continue to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre – This conservation site was established in 1952, aimed at rescuing and rehabilitating injured/orphaned wildlife. The place protects over 400 indigenous wild animals, 500 plant species as well as over 250 bird species. Enjoy a close experience of the chimpanzees in company of an expert keeper, you will as well get close to the lions and see the tigers plus numerous grazers including the famous elephant “Charles” which was just a calf at the time it was brought in. The other animals include; zebras, antelopes, chimpanzees and monkeys, giraffes, cheetahs, rhinos, warthogs, lions with birds like the African fish eagle and more.  Spice up your visit with an optional behind the scenes experience at 70$ pp – This is a beyond-tourism-experience which offers an up-close interaction with wildlife; you will be enrolled as a caretaker of the day and execute duties just like the staff: Feed the giraffes, chimps and other animals from within their enclosure. This is followed by a local lunch at a restaurant.

After lunch visit Kigungu Historical Site – The site is located on the shores of Lake Victoria; the Uganda Catholic Religion all started here. The first Catholic missionaries (Br. Amans and Fr. Lourdel Maple) first docked here as early as 17^th Feb, 1879. Common sights incl.; Fishing Village, Entebbe Airport Runway and some birds around the lake shore.   

End your day tour at Entebbe Botanical Gardens –Entebbe Botanical Gardens (Est. 1898) is Uganda’s first and oldest agricultural research site; this occupies 40.7 hectares and covers 1.5KM of the Lake Victoria shoreline. The botanical gardens currently protect over 500 plant species, both exotic and indigenous; categorized into indigenous and exotic fruits, medicinal, beverage, spices, ornamentals, timber, oils and important wild crop relatives, several of these threatened in the wild and agro-ecosystems. What to expect whilst at the botanical gardens; the Red Tailed, Vervet and Colobus Monkeys soaring in the tree branches, going about their daily duties unbothered by your presence. You may contribute to ongoing conservation programs by adopting/planting a tree! A visit here is perfect as a climax for your Entebbe Eco Tour, due to the serenity of the gardens and Lake Victoria’s cool breeze – Following the day’s multiple site visits.

Thereafter, transfer to Kampala City: Arrive and check-in at Gazelle Guest House. The rest of this evening is yours at leisure.

Starting with Kampala CBD, your city tour extends to the suburbs.

Up-town Kampala sights include: The Independence Monument,Mutesa II Monument, World War II Monument, the Parliamentary Building, Bank of Uganda (Since 1966), Uganda National Cultural Centre (Since Dec, 1959), Kampala Capital City Authority (HQ’s). Then make a stopover at Nakasero Market: Established in 1895, first at Lubiri and later to its present location within the city centre in 1905. Enjoy sights of the Hindu temples such as Shree Swaminarayan Mandir and other cultural sites.

From the CBD’s top sights; proceed to Buganda Kingdom and visit – The Kabaka’s (king’s) Palace; see the Idd Amin torture chambers, a historical machine gun, the palace pictorial, explore Buganda’s rich history and with a drive past Kabaka’s Lake. Included in the Buganda trail is the Nantawetwa monument; built exclusively for the King and only opened when He is being driven to from the palace to the Buganda Parliament. Drive on the Royal Mile; Sightseeing Bulange (Buganda Parliament); Kabaka’s monument, and Zakaria Kisingiri House as well as the Buganda Clan Symbols.

Continue through the 80’s–Kampala and stopover at Gadhafi Mosque; (by the late Col. Muammar Gadhafi as a gift to Uganda). Get here and climb up the tower for a 360-degree bird’s eye view for the city’s popular 7 Hills; this includes viewing Fort Lugard (since 1800 by Capt. Fredrick Lugard) and Old Kampala Senior Secondary School (over 60 years and Rwanda’s President Kagame once enrolled here). Visit to Kasubi Tombs (UNESCO World Heritage Site): Kasubi Tombs is major spiritual centre for the Baganda where traditional and cultural practices have been preserved from time to time. The site is a vital burial ground for the previous four kings (Kabaka’s) which qualifies it as a religious centre for the Royal family – traditional rituals related to Buganda culture are held on site.

From the tombs; visit Makerere University: This iconic academic centre of excellence is Uganda’s largest and oldest (since 1922) as well as Africa’s third oldest university. At Makerere; see landmarks such as the Old University Library (Established in 1949). The Main Administration Building (since 1941), alongside the Education monument.

En-route to the Baha’i Temple, drive via Kalerwe Market – second largest local market; you may stopover for a few pictures or purchase some fresh fruits. Approach Kikaya Hill – and explore the Baha’i Temple and Baha’i Faith in Uganda: this is the Baha’i sole temple in Africa; situated north east of Kampala. The Temple is closed on Mondays.  

Visit the Uganda National Museum: East Africa’s first and oldest (officiated by the British government in 1908 to its present site in 1954). This serves as a summary of our city tour and the rest of Uganda.Break-off for lunch at a restaurant and continue touring.  

Your final stopover is at The Uganda Martyrs Shrine – a major site where the martyrs were persecuted to death between 1885 and 1887 on orders of Kabaka Mwanga II of Buganda. This site is a popular pilgrimage destination in Africa (every 3^rd June hundreds of thousands visit for pilgrimage). Be guided to The Basilica (constructed in 1967 for 9 years until 3^rd June 1975 and sanctifies on 7^th February 1993 by the then Pope). Three Papal visits to the Martyrs’ Shrine have been recognized: Pope Paul VI (1969), Pope John Paul II (1993) and Pope Francis (2015). Tour the Martyrs Museum and Holy Water Lake.

From the Martyrs Shrine, you will be dropped-off at your preferred location, within Kampala City – Entebbe Airport requires an extra cost of 50$ per vehicle.